Comforted by the King
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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TITLE: Comforted by the King
TEXT: John 14.1-14, The Way, the Truth, and the Life
INTRODUCTION:
I’m confident that most of us have been in a situation where someone approaches us and says “I have good news and bad news… which do you want first?”
Though some may say this is “debatable”, I believe the clear answer is undoubtedly bad news first. Go ahead and hit me with the first blow, so the following good news will sooth the pain.
The bad news potentially brings in discomfort, sadness, fear, anxiousness… maybe even despair. BUT… the good news brings joy, peace, comfort, and gladness! The sweetness of the promised good news makes enduring the bad news all the more worth it.
THIS PAST WEEK: John 13.21-38
Following a great display of love for His disciples, Jesus’ betrayer (Judas) was identified at the Last Supper. Jesus loved and served the one who would hand Him over to His pursuers.
Peter’s coming denial of Christ was foreshadowed. Peter proudly and boldly stated “I will lay down my life for you” (v.37)… but Jesus said “the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times” (v.38).
And in between these two events, Jesus gives them what initially appears to be disheartening news.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’
THIS WEEK: John 14.1-14
Yes, Jesus was certainly foreshadowing His death and eventually His departure from them and ascension back into heaven to be at the Father’s right hand.
He told these things to His closest friends (Jewish men) who in some sense still saw Him as a Savior from Rome and deliverer from oppression…still not yet truly understanding such teaching from Luke 9.
43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Anticipating such despair in them, He took this moment to comfort His brothers and encourage their hearts by reminding them of the Promises of God that were already theirs that day, the next day, and forever.
MAIN IDEA:
Do not despair, for the promises of God are sure! His return is certain, the Way to God is clear, and our trust in His Word and Will lead us into greater communion with Him.
Outline:
Find Peace in His Promises (v.1-3)
Find Assurance in the Son (v.4-6)
Find Truth and Trust in His Words (v.8-11)
Find Purpose in His Will (v.12-14)
PRAYER
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Find Peace in His Promises (v.1-3)
Find Peace in His Promises (v.1-3)
John 14:1–3 “1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
(v.1-3)
Knowing this news of His coming departure would likely lead his disciples to despair, our LORD takes this opportunity to comfort them with a few of His many promises. First he offers them an exhortation:
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
Besides it being at the essential center of human life, the HEART is spoken of in the Scriptures as the center of all spiritual activity. Jesus tells them - “Do not be troubled/disturbed in your spirit or at your core by what I am telling you.” Instead… believe in Him.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
The LEB translation sheds more light on our LORD’s instruction - Jesus tells His disciples that the same belief they have in God the Father should be given to Him.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.
PROMISE of v.1 - You can trust the person who is before you. You can entrust yourself to Him, the Son of Man who has come to save and who is working in accordance with the Father’s will. Your trust in Him will prove to be reliable.
ILLUSTRATION: “Trust Me” situation
I’m naturally a skeptical person, and I consider that both a good thing and not so good thing about myself. I also think logically in most situations, so an extension of trust from me to another person or thing is based on data.
I trust my vehicles each week because statistically they have proven to safely get me from point A to point B.
I trust the AV team and Worship team to get all of this sound and music equipment working each week… because they do it each week. It was pretty sad during Reach HG last week when I could not even get music playing on the speakers.
I trust Chance and Joe with my insurance… again because they have much knowledge in this area.
“Just trust me…” does not do very far with me.
Jesus tells His disciples - Just as you have believed in God the Father, entrust yourself to Me… persist in your faith in whom I have continually revealed myself to be… One with the Father in will, purpose, and essence.
Instead of persisting in a troubled spirit, set your heart at ease and let the Lord bear your burdens for you.
(v.2-3)
After refreshing their minds on the reliability of His person, words, and works… Our Lord turns their attention to what awaits them, and furthermore what He is going to prepare for them.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jesus tells the disciples, many that have been following him for years, that a time is coming when He will depart from them. It is likely that they did not fully understand what He meant, but this was communicated to them multiple times as well as their inability to follow Him.
John 7:33–34 “33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.””
John 13:33 “33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’”
BUT…. His previous words to Peter prior to the foreshadowing of his betrayal were not without promise!
36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
Jesus now speaks of the afterwards! He speaks of the Father’s House, a place where He is working and preparing for the arrival of the same men whose hearts are troubled now and whom will be tempted with despair upon His death.
PROMISES of v.2-3 - Jesus’ death and ascension would not result in loss. Better yet, He prepares a place for us in the Father’s House, the place of dwelling for the children of God who have been adopted into the family of God.
Just as His going would be IAW His Word, so will His return. The act of His preparation for us means that He is coming to us again! He will bring us to Himself, and finally we will be with our Lord.
26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
APPLICATION:
Are you persisting in doubt, uneasiness, and anxiousness when considering what the days ahead will bring?
This morning, I am not discounting that these things are real and present in our lives. The unknown of tomorrow in a difficult season of life, even the unknown of how the Lord could possibly be working through such a season can certainly bring about these feelings in us.
Doubt, Fear, Anxiousness
Instead, my question for us this morning is this: Are God’s promises still true in such a time like this?
Find PEACE this morning in knowing that whatever the season of life, and certainly the season where our circumstances are used by the Evil One to tempt us in giving way to fear or anxiousness… the Lord is not far from you!
“But Seth you do not understand my situation…” and you may be correct. I may not understand the intimate details of the situation, but I know what our Lord has promised both you and I in such times.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
When the mountains fall into the ocean… when the ocean rises up against you… seek Him in prayer and receive the great prize of His promises = PEACE.
Find Assurance in the Son (v.4-7)
Find Assurance in the Son (v.4-7)
John 14:4–7 “4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.””
Jesus concludes His answer to Peter here but not before He refocuses them back on the matter at hand. He had just told Peter :you cannot follow me now, but you will follow me afterward” (v.36)
And now He brings it back full circle with verse 4.
4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
You cannot follow me now, but you will follow me later, and YOU KNOW THE WAY.
ILLUSTRATION: Finding Your Way as a New Driver
We have a few here at COTV that have either started driving recently or will be in the coming soon. And I remember when I first started driving, the were first day actually. I knew how to get back to school, I knew how to get home, maybe even to Winn Dixie in Meridianville, and that was mostly it.
Over time you grow much more confident in where you are going, sometimes even without the Garmin GPS, but every now and then when driving the great wilderness along Interstate 65, you begin to wonder “Do I really know my exit, Do I really know the way I am going?”
Even with your printed off Map Quest directions, you begin to question “Is this the right way?”
Jesus’ Encouragement (v.4)
Jesus finishes His statement that began with “Let not your hearts be troubled…” with a great encouragement. Though His departure from them was approaching, they need not fear because from His perspective - They know the way to where He is going.
Notice the use of the present tense here by our Lord. This was not knowledge that would be imparted them them later at the proper time, but instead this was knowledge that was available to them now!
Jesus has a great assurance that His disciples know that His departure is not the end. WHY??? Because the Son of Man declares it so! He assured them He was coming for them again, that He was preparing a place for them… but this assurance fell flat on the ears of Thomas who spoke up quickly.
Doubting Thomas
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
The same concern present in Peter’s question (Jn 13.36) is present here in the words of Thomas. HE is hearing Jesus telling them “You know…”, and yet Thomas is sitting here thinking “No… we really do not know. How could we know??”
Thomas is declaring here that what they truly lack is knowledge. It was a statement of honesty but also of despair.
If Jesus would only tell them where He is going and how to get there, then it would make things all the more simple. They could just follow Him to the destination, that for some reason Jesus is keeping a little too close to chest here.
Stating The Problem
Thomas’ concern here actually highlights a very important problem that is shared by most of humanity that is religious in some sense - There is something that keeps us from God.
Now this is a true statement and something we definitely affirm in Christianity, but where we differ from the world is how this question is answered. What needs to be done for a person to get to heaven or salvation or deliverance or enlightenment…? however the different religions of the world define the solution.
And all of them answer it similarly:
Be “good” enough
Deny all personal desire enough
Do these things good enough
Believe in Jesus… and…
To get to God, this hinderance must be overcome. That much is clear. There has been a separation between God and humanity since the Fall that carried forth in the OT Tabernacle where the veil provided a physical separation between Israel and the earthly dwelling place of God.
Defining the Problem
According to the Word of God, this hinderance does exist and it is so vast, so infectious, so overwhelming that the efforts of humanity are futile to overcome it. As you may know, God gave his covenant people a Law, and He told them “Keep it.”
Now being all knowing, the Creator of all things is very smart… funny enough. In His giving of a perfect Law, He knew an imperfect people could never keep it. Then why would He do this???
20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
His Law was given to define the problem…the same problem that Thomas was unknowingly highlighting here in John 14 with his question ——> What separates humanity from God is our own failing, our ingrained rejection of God’s will and the exalting of our own.
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
The sin of man is the veil, the barrier that must be overcome.
Solving the Problem
I AM Statement #6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus responds to a despairing Thomas with possibly the most exclusive statement in all of Scripture. Having all knowledge, Jesus does not merely say He has the right directions. He does not extend a promise here to His disciples that He will point them in the right direction.
No… instead Jesus says: I alone am the path to God.
Assurance in the Son
Such a statement strikes a blow against every other religious understanding or perspective on heaven. Firstly for these Jewish men, it is directly polar to what they have grown up believing. They have likely heard “Keep the Law!” their entire lives, and now their Rabbi is telling them during the annual celebration of Passover… you cannot earn your way back into Yahweh’s favor.
If the offense to the Jewish position was not enough, this statement destroys any notion that Jesus’ was merely a prophet or a good teacher. Such a statement is so exclusive that draws a line of division between Christianity and any other world religion.
ILLUSTRATION: Blurring These Lines
Because this statement is so exclusive, the modern church is cowering away from its true meaning in many cases. Let me give you one example.
In Sept 2024, Pope Francis spoke at a inter-religious gathering in Singapore titled “Together in Unity and Hope”, and this was his message to them:
“Every religion is a way to arrive at God. Sort of a comparison, and example would be they are sort of like differrent languages to arrive at God. But God is God for all. And if God is God for all, then we are all sons and daughters of God. But my God is more important than your God. Is that true? There is only one God, and each of us is a language so to speak in order to arrive at God. Shikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian…they are different paths.”
- Pope Francis, 13 Sept 2024
APPLICATION:
When is the church going to stop trying to change or deny what our Lord has spoken to make the world feel more comfortable it its sin and instead have great confidence and assurance in Christ alone and decide to speak nothing but Christ and Him crucified?
He is the Way, there is no other.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
He is the Truth, there is no other.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
He is the Life, there is no life apart from Him.
13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
APPLICATION:
To know the Jesus of the Bible is to know God the Father, for He is the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of His nature.
Do not be carried away by deceptive teaching that diminishes the majesty and greatness of the words of Christ for the sake of the world’s approval.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
The peace and assurance the disciples were seeking as fear and despair encroached would only be found by entrusting themselves to Jesus. The assurance of eternal life is not found in a prayer that we prayed… Assurance is found in the Son.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Find Truth and Trust in His Words (v.8-11)
Find Truth and Trust in His Words (v.8-11)
John 14:8–11 “8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”
Contrary to Thomas’ skepticism, Philip speaks up confidently here in pursuit of truth and evidence. Jesus’ words in v.7 brought out greater determination in Philip. Jesus had told them “To know Him is to know the Father, and from now on you do know Him and have seen Him” (v.7 paraphrase)
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
“That is great, Lord. Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us!” You can almost imagine Philip grinning as he speaks these words. He is ready to see what Jesus has spoken. This shows a deep desire in Philip to experience God, which is far better that Thomas’ doubt and Peter’s recklessness, right?
Jesus Offers a Rebuke
In v.9-11, Jesus offers Philip a gentle rebuke. In general. Philip’s desire to see the Father is admirable! In fact it echoes the words of Moses in the OT as he intercedes for the people of Israel before the LORD.
17 And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
However, a point of distinction must be made here. Exodus 33 says that the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Here in John 14, Philip stands before Jesus, God the Son, considering that a view of the Father would be enough… as if the LORD, Yahweh before him is lacking in some way.
Jesus’ rebuke is fitting to remind Philip and his brothers who stands before them.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
Jesus is disheartened here. “How can you say this?” (paraphrase)
He has been with His disciples for ~3 years now, and yet some of them still do not know who He truly is. For Philip specifically, he was the first disciple directly called by Jesus in John 1:43, so although slightly… Philip had likely been following Him longer than most of them.
Philip had been faithfully following Jesus for years. He heard Him speaking and teaching repeatedly. He had seen the wonderous works of His hands, and yet there was still much for him to learn. Jesus questions him “Do you not believe what I have spoken?” (paraphrase)
Jesus addresses the Pharisees (I AM the Light of the World)
27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
The Jews Accuse Him of Blaspheming
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Philip had heard these teachings!! He was likely present when our Lord spoke the entirety of the “I AM” statements of John’s Gospel, and yet He tells God incarnate standing in front of him “Show us the Father and it will be enough for us”. (paraphrase)
ILLUSTRATION: Show me a bit more
Philip’s words here actually remind me some of my boys and myself in a certain way. Like any kids, they love TV. I personally love movies (which they do too), but they also enjoy different shows. Sometimes we agree on either 1 or 2 shows, but when the end comes I know a certain question that will likely come up: “Can we watch one more?”
Dear father, the greatest father in the history of humanity, just a little bit more and I will be satisfied! PLEASE!?!?!?!
Philip does the same. Just a little more LORD. We have seen you and heard you, but if we could see the Father, that would be enough.
Jesus’ Rebuke - Entrust yourself to Me based on my Words and Works!
Yes, Jesus reminds them that His authority and power stem from the Father, but at the same time Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him… another way of saying “I am the Father are One”. Distinct in person but perfectly united in essence and power.
BELIEVE me = Entrust yourself to me
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
Jesus says: Pick one! My Words or My Works.… your choice! They both testify to me as the Eternal Son, that which was from the beginning, that which has all authority in heaven and on Earth. In either one is truth that is unparalleled and found nowhere else.
APPLICATION: Let Him be Enough
Everyone here this morning shares Philip’s short-sightedness in one way or another. We don’t like to admit it because like Philip, it makes appear unappreciative to what we have received in Christ.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
For those who seek the LORD, we lack nothing! We have been granted everything that we need pertaining to life and godliness! We know this, but all too often I think we are tempted to believe that the Gospel’s applicability is limited.
The Gospel is certainly the Good News of Christ’s perfect sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His glorious resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and adoption as sons and daughters in the family of God.… but what good does that do for me in my present relational problem? My stressful work situation? My family issues?
Short Answer: It is Everything We Need
The Word of God and the Works of God are given to us so that we might believe, entrust ourselves to Christ alone. When we do this, day after day we are transformed. We think differently. We talk differently. We prioritize things differently. WHY? Because the Word of God is accomplishing in us the purpose for which He sent it - to save and to purify a people for Himself.
The Word (Christ) is enough for you today! He was all the disciples needed then, and He is all we need today. In His Word you will find encouragement, peace, joy, understanding, renewal, and purpose today.
Let’s not discount the applicability of His Word today… instead let’s cleave to His Word like our lives depend on it.
Find Purpose in His Will (v.12-14)
Find Purpose in His Will (v.12-14)
John 14:12–14 “12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
Jesus reveals His will for His disciples as He prepares to depart and return to the Father’s right hand following His death and resurrection.
“Truly, Truly…”
The Greek term used here is also translated as “Amen”, a statement of affirmation. Maybe a little more simple,Jesus is telling them “What I am telling you is true”. Though His departure is approaching, there is much to be done.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus’ disciples will do the work that He does, they will follow in His footsteps. I do not this is much of a surprise to us this morning, that our Lord desired for those closest to Him, those devoted to Him to continue in His work.
When asked previously, Jesus pointed His hearers to the greatest commandment.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
This was certainly His will for them! But even further Jesus tells them…
John 14:12 (ESV)
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
They will do greater works than Jesus? Greater that the One who humbled Himself and took on flesh, lived perfectly without sin, healed the sick / lame / blind, and who came to seek and save the lost through His perfect, everlasting atonement at the cross and resurrection from the dead???
They were to do greater than this???
All About Perspective
The greater works to which Jesus referred were not greater in power than those He performed, but greater in extent.
John F. MacArthur
As Jesus ascended back to the Father, He handed over to them His ministry to be carried on, for His people were still among the nations waiting for the free gift of salvation by His grace.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Their works would be greater in the sense that from these 12 men and roughly another 100 men and women, the world would be reached with the name of Christ and the good news of His grace to undeserving sinners like us.
I’ll Be With You
They would not be alone, for He would be with them. The promised Holy Spirit would come, the Helper, who would convict them concerning sin and remind them of all Christ had taught them.
Further He tells them - “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do”. Jesus points them to the power of prayer here! Further we are given the purpose of prayer here.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts d. The Request of Philip (14:8–15)
It was both a guarantee, like the endorsement on a check, and a limitation on the petition; for he would grant only such petitions as could be presented consistently with his character and purpose. In prayer we call on him to work out his purpose, not simply to gratify our whims.
Bringing About His Will
Let’s make a connection together this morning.
v.12, Whoever believe in Jesus will continue His work of bringing lost sinners to the truth even after He departure and before His second coming.
v.13, If asked in His name and in accordance with His will, He will grant it to glorify His name.
CONCLUSION: The purpose of the people of God is to do the works of God and to seek His will in prayer so that the name of God might be glorified in the Son of God.
Find comfort today in the fact that He is working in us to bring about His will. His desire is greater communion with us so that His will may be done and that His Son might receive the glory He is due.
MAIN IDEA:
Do not despair, for the promises of God are sure! His return is certain, the Way to God is clear, and our trust in His Word and Will lead us into greater communion with Him.
